Is IPL a good cure for acne?

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

We have had good results for people with active acne and overactive sebaceous glands when treating with a combination of ALA (Levulan) and IPL or ALA and BLU-U (Blue Light/Photodynamic therapy).  There is more down time and peeling with this version of the treatment but it helps a great deal to control the active acne and improve discoloration from previous breakouts. While doing treatments and after you finish you should also consider a good at home regimen for optimal results that can be discussed with your provider.

 

Dr. Grant Stevens              Marina del Rey, CA               Marina Plastic Surgery                The Institute

IPL can work great for treating photodamaged skin and redness.  I think you will be very unhappy and feel that you have wasted your money using IPL to treat overactive oil glands.  I think you will get better results, and less costly ones, seeking more traditional care.

the answer is .... maybe.  I could conceivably see some heat causing a disruption in sebaceous activity but I believe, assuming the correct wavelength filter is used, that light energy can cause the acne causing bacteria to commit suicide by inducing a release of porphyrins when exposed thus reducing inflammation in the pore.

 

Dr. Malouf

Depending on the severity of your acne and how much downtime you were comfortable with, IPL can be used alone or in combination with levulan, a photosensitizer, and blue light to help treat and control acne.

Alternatively, you may want to opt for the Isolaz PPX acne treatment if it is available in your immediate area. Isolaz PPX uses a combination of vacuum suction and broadband light to clean out pores and kill the bacteria that causes acne.